Megastink Posted October 6, 2008 Posted October 6, 2008 I know this question is totally subjective, but I'm asking it anyway: Who makes the best Circuit Board Crank? That is to say, do you prefer a big name brand, or a handmade crank, and if so, whose? Quote
gabes Posted October 6, 2008 Posted October 6, 2008 I relly like Brian's Bees crankbaits. They are handmade in his shop in North Carolina. Check out his website. Quote
Stringjam Posted October 6, 2008 Posted October 6, 2008 My favorite custom crank makers, with a few pics just to show some of their work. Marty Burns (Big M) Rob Cochran (JawJacker) Richard Manley Bobby Kelly Nomad Lures (form. BlackJack) John Mills Flat-Shad Zoom WEC Brian's Bees Here's some from Japan I really like...unfortunately it's a pain to get them over here... > Flutter Baits Nakamura Kaihatsu Woodream T.H. FD Custom Quote
Super User Hookemdown. Posted October 6, 2008 Super User Posted October 6, 2008 John Mills What ever happened to him? He was a big help around here. Quote
Super User Gatorbassman Posted October 6, 2008 Super User Posted October 6, 2008 My favorite custom Circuit board cranks are made by "Bubba" Messer here in Georgia. If you are lucky enough to have some then you know that they are tournament winners. I'm not talking about a tournament here and there. I'm talking about back to back tournaments several times. The down side is that after you order them you are added to the list and you should expect them within the next year or so. But the wait is well worth it. My favorite semi-production cranks are the Circuit Breaker cranks by Buckeye Lures. They are awesome. I call them semi-production because they are custom painted by the Buckeye pro-staff. Quote
Super User Sam Posted October 6, 2008 Super User Posted October 6, 2008 I go with Bandit's off the shelf as I throw them all over the place and when I lose one I am not that upset. I also have some Lucky Craft's, too. I have some from Japan but I dont' throw them too often for fear of losing them. I do not use any hand-made baits other than Dave S's swimbait he sent me and I am extremely caeful when throwing it. Those pics are beautiful. Outsanding paint jobs. Quote
MitchIsFishin Posted October 6, 2008 Posted October 6, 2008 Great pics. I checked Brian Bee's website, some absolutely beautiful cranks, but the prices? $65.00 for a crankbait? Uh, no. Quote
Stringjam Posted October 7, 2008 Posted October 7, 2008 John Mills What ever happened to him? He was a big help around here. I'm not sure why he doesn't post here anymore......I've seen him around a few other places. I love his little teardrop finesse cranks.....those things always seem to get bit - - way fun to fish! Quote
bmadd Posted October 7, 2008 Posted October 7, 2008 I'll second Big M's baits. Excellent craftmanship. Quote
Super User Jimzee Posted October 7, 2008 Super User Posted October 7, 2008 Stringjam, your pic skills are awesome. You should be doing photography for some of these custom guys on the side. Quote
Super User cart7t Posted October 8, 2008 Super User Posted October 8, 2008 What's a circuit board crank? :-? Quote
Stringjam Posted October 8, 2008 Posted October 8, 2008 What's a circuit board crank? :-? It's a lip material...otherwise known by it's actual material or trade names (Garolite, Micarta, G10) It's very thin and strong, and thus popular for lip material. I personally don't really trip on whether my cranks have it or not - - - I think the actual design of the bait is more a determining factor of it's effectiveness......I like Lexan lips just as well. Quote
Infidel. Posted October 8, 2008 Posted October 8, 2008 Hey Stringjam, do you ever fish your baits? Those all look so pretty, there's not a tooth or hook mark on them Quote
Super User Bassin_Fin@tic Posted October 8, 2008 Super User Posted October 8, 2008 < is jealous of stringjam and his array of killer baits. :-/ Quote
Infidel. Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Of course I am. My baits never look that good. Hell, even the ones I haven't fished are marked just from being in tackle boxes. Quote
Stringjam Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Hey Stringjam, do you ever fish your baits? Those all look so pretty, there's not a tooth or hook mark on them They look so pretty because I take these pics immediately after receiving them (kind of like a custom crank inventory ....... yup - I'm a crank nerd!) You'd be surprised how long they keep that "pretty" look, though.......almost all of those baits have an epoxy coating of some sort (Devcon, Dick Nites, etc...) and can take a LOT of abuse from fish. Surprisingly, some of the weakest finishes seem to come from the Japanese baits - - - with as much effort as they seem to put into bait design and precision, they seem to go a little weak on the clear. I don't trip on it, though.....the more beat up the bait gets, the merrier. I have balsa cranks where entire chunks are knocked off the bait......still produce and I still throw em'. Quote
Stringjam Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Some more crank porn..... The bait on the right is a DD22... ;D Quote
bmadd Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 String that is an unbelievably amazing lineup there. I'm jealous. What are the first two baits that you have pictured. Those are some unique and beautiful finishes. Quote
kayl. Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 John Mills What ever happened to him? He was a big help around here. I'm not sure why he doesn't post here anymore......I've seen him around a few other places. I love his little teardrop finesse cranks.....those things always seem to get bit - - way fun to fish! I know I'm not the only one wondering this... Where can we order some???? Quote
Stringjam Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 String that is an unbelievably amazing lineup there. I'm jealous. What are the first two baits that you have pictured. Those are some unique and beautiful finishes. The first 3 are all made by FD Custom (Masaru Oniyama). He builds a supurb crankbait - along with some really unique finish ideas. The black one is actually wrapped in carbon fiber, and the top one has a thin layer of abalone shell. I dig the abalone shell - - it's beautiful when the sun hits it just right.....(like this earlier pic). Unfortunately - - getting ahold of any of the Japanese cranks is a PITA. I was just fortunate enough to have a contact visiting Japan who was willing to pick up and order these while he was over there. Quote
Stringjam Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 I know I'm not the only one wondering this...Where can we order some???? jjmills@myjaycounty.com He has a PhotoBucket account with pics of a bunch of his baits. Quote
bmadd Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Yea I really dig the abalone finishes. I'm gonna have to work harder on my customs list now Quote
Jake. Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Hey Stringjam, How do you like those Brian's Bees cranks? Quote
Willzx225 Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Stringjam How do you like the WEC Mutt? I have a few but have not had a chance to take them swimming yet. Also what about the Dee Baits? I have almost pulled the trigger a few times but for some reason have not. Quote
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